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Excellent adaptation.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

If I were to compare this movie to another I would say that it is sort of like a cross between "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Patch Adams". Granted it is not as good as Nest was, however it is not nearly as horrid as "Patch Adams" so I say it is closer to Cuckoo's Nest than the other. I mainly compare it to Patch as the two lead gentlemen in this film have a terminal illness and they try to cope with it and do so in a humorous way at times. They are thankfully spared someone who is perfectly fine telling jokes and making light of the situation. The film is about two terminally ill guys who are in a hospital in I believe London. One is an American and the other does seem to be a resident of London. At first the American is kind of down in the dumps, but the other guy named Bancroft and played by Dalton tries to get him to loosen up. At one point he even wheels him onto the roof of the building. They both finally get out of the hospitals clutches and proceed to live life to the fullest with the little time they have left. On the way to their final destination, a brothel in Amsterdam, they come across two ladies whom they attach to and the four begin to have fun. Unfortunately, the American's illness does seem to be taking hold of him fast and so there is not the happiest of endings to this one. However, it is not all that sad either.

First, this movie is a treasure. The script is loaded with precious gems, and Timothy and Anthony do a fantastic job of delivering each one. Poignant and truthful, but also silly at times--keeps the audience from becoming depressed over the subject matter. It's a wonderful mixture. There are many memorable scenes that will stay with you, long after you've watched the movie; many quotable lines that are purposeful to bring up over and over.It is also a different pace for Timothy Dalton fans. He shows his comic chops in this role, as well as his ability to remind the audience what's underneath--the more serious, emotional turmoil of the terminal ill. The over-the-top, silliness of his actions is a way of dealing with his mortality, and how people have treated him because of it. Tim puts it all out there, but skillfully reels it back in when it's appropriate for the scene. One of Tim's best roles.I would give this film a 10, however I can't condone the needless swearing, mostly in the beginning dialogue (which decreases later on); and the absurd topless women in the brothel scene. To me, they only distract from what's really being said, or the comedy, and if removed, would not effect the poignant story of the film.What I like is that, after the two men get to the brothel, they decide it's not really what they wanted after all. The relationship that builds up b/t our two main guys and the two women stranded along the road (with a broken down car) is a refreshing addition to the plot.

a simple story of life......this is one of the most sensitive and funny films i have ever ever seen, to meet and realise your mortality is something we never do until its too late, Hawks well with superb acting from Messrs Dalton and Edwards makes you (well made me) realise how fragile and how little we live our lives, whilst going through a situation with a friend at the moment i have re-watched this film, to realise one that Mortality is not something to be afraid of, but also to realise that in my darkest times - A big red nose will always make me smile.so join the order of the HAWKS - I guarantee you wont regret it !!!

Deck (Anthony Edwards) appears onscreen first as prospective purchaser of a sweet-featured, warm red & all decked-out Saab: "sleek, fine, and fast!" Then after the rather traumatizing experience of the test drive, the persistent salesman tells him that the warranty's 5 years- "I'll take that," he says. And- That, with utter conviction.What a great opening to set the tone for this wonderful sleeper of a movie - which stars Timothy Dalton, Edwards, Janet McTeer, and Camille Codori. This film has all the essential elements touching the heart: attractive & sympathetic leads - humor - poignancy - and the encompass of existence, light & the dark of it.Dalton never ceases to amaze me with the scope and range of his performances. He's deftly captured King Philip of France, Henry Darnley, Hamlet, Hotspur, Antony, Heathcliff, Rochester, James Bond, and others. He actually had the audacity to make this movie in between his two Bond films! He packs a powerful punch here as the very flawed but endearing Bancroft: a highly intelligent man on a relentless quest for fun in spite (or, is it because of?) the bleak prognosis of his life.His partner in crime is Deck - an American being treated for the same affliction in the Charing Cross, London hospital. Despite their conflicts, their health, militant nursing sisters, and all constraints with the English law regarding ambulances, together they depart for a momentous trek across the channel to Amsterdam.There, they meet Hazel and Maureen - two best friends from London on their own trek: that, to reunite Hazel with the father of the baby she's pregnant with.Bancroft and Deck had gone to Amsterdam in quest of a brothel - the girls in quest of a balding Hollander. What they all find instead is something completely different. They come to find a somewhat quirky enlightenment, each in their own individual way. I highly recommend this little treasure of a movie - best watched snuggled on lots of pillows, under a warm down comforter, and with a glass of well-bodied wine.